Prospects for submillimeter observations

A discussion is given of some current and future projects designed for submillimeter-wave astronomy, ranging from ground-based telescopes, through airborne and balloon to space-based. Emphasis is given to the space project to be flown at the start of the next century, FIRST, which is now known to be the Fourth Cornerstone of the ESA Horizon 2000 plan. Discussion is given concerning the role that NASA may play in that project.